GyaLabs Gave Me 11 Essential Oils For Aroma Testing — Here's What I Found

Who Am I? (#whoami)

Once upon a pre-COVID world, I was a full-time digital marketer—deep into the realm of paid campaigns, search engine sorcery, and social media strategy. I lived for analytics dashboards and conversion funnels.

Then... the pandemic happened. (Cue dramatic music. Sob, sob)
Like millions, life flipped. Priorities shifted. And let’s just say, when COVID sank its venomous fangs into the world, it also took a big bite out of my 9-to-5 routine.

Now? I'm a full-time stay-at-home mom and part-time marketing ninja. I write content, build campaigns, and help brands boost their traffic, engagement, and conversions—all from the comfort of my living room, usually with a coffee in one hand and a toddler tugging at the other.

And somewhere along this new journey, I got an offer from GyaLabs to try out the aroma of their essential oils and write my honest opinion.

Full Disclosure Before We Begin

Okay, cards on the table: I am not an aromatherapist. I’m not a scientist, nor do I have a PhD in scentology (is that even a thing?). I’m also not here to throw around medical jargon or make health claims I can’t back.

I’m just like most of you—someone who loves good smells. I adore walking into a room that smells like calm, or energy, or freshly peeled oranges. But if you asked me how essential oils are made or what compound does what in the body… yeah, no clue. That’s way above my pay grade.

What I do know is how certain scents make me feel. Energized, relaxed, focused, happy. So when GyaLabs sent me 11 essential oils to test, I jumped in with nose wide open, curiosity fully lit—and zero scientific expectations.

This is just my honest, everyday-person experience. No fluff, no medical promises—just sniff tests, diffuser days, and maybe a few moments of unexpected magic.

How I Did The Testing (My Methodology)

So, how exactly does one test ten bottles of essential oils without turning their house into a chaotic perfume factory?

Well, I went down the usual internet rabbit hole and found that the recommended way to experience essential oils is by using a diffuser. Makes sense—gentle, even, and oh-so-professional.

But I did it my way.

I work from a small, enclosed room (a.k.a. my creative cave). Instead of diffusing, I took a small glass slab, placed it on my work table, and added five drops of each essential oil—one at a time, of course. I let the scent slowly waft around the room while I worked, wrote emails, chased deadlines, and occasionally chased my toddler.

This setup gave me a consistent, controlled space to notice how each oil made me feel—whether it cleared my head, lifted my mood, or just made me wish I were at a spa in Bali.

No fancy setups. No essential oil lectures. Just me, a slab of glass, and eleven tiny bottles of aromatic intrigue.

The Essential Oils I Tried

Here’s the list of essential oils that I was give in a beautiful box: -

• Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia carterii or Boswellia sacra)

• Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale)

• Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)

• Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus)

• Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Chamaemelum nobile)

• German Chamomile Essential Oil (Matricaria chamomilla or Matricaria recutita)

• Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha × piperita)

• Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon cablin)

• Blue Tansy Essential Oil (Tanacetum annuum)

• Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil (Laurus nobilis)

My Conclusion – The Aroma Result

Frankincense Oil

Frankincense has a warm, slightly woody smell that’s not too strong, but definitely noticeable. When I tested it, the scent filled my small room slowly and it lingered around for (around) an hour. (Maybe I should have used a diffuser.) It didn’t make me sleepy, but it did help me stay focused without feeling rushed.

I found it especially useful during long writing sessions—it kept my mind clear without being distracting. I wouldn’t call it relaxing in the same way lavender is, but it has a grounding effect.

Would I use it again?
Yes. It has a subtle aroma that delivers a calming experience.

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary has a sweet, slightly herbal scent that I actually liked more than I expected. It’s fresh without being too sharp. But full disclosure—I kind of cheated with this one.

I read on the GyaLabs blog that rosemary oil is great for hair, so instead of just smelling it, I started mixing a few drops into my regular hair oil. I’ve been massaging it into my scalp a couple of times a week for the past two weeks. So far, no dramatic changes, but my hair does feel a little softer and less frizzy.

I’ll definitely keep at it, and if I ever get the chance to write again, I’ll update you all on whether it made a real difference. Fingers crossed!

Would I use it again?
Yes, mostly for my hair—but the smell is nice enough to use around the room too.

Ginger Oil

Ginger oil has a mild, almost earthy aroma. It’s not overpowering, which I liked—it just quietly sits in the background without demanding too much attention.

But again, I went off-label with this one. I read on GyaLabs’ blog (honestly, they have some pretty helpful stuff) that ginger oil is good for joint pain. So, I mixed a few drops into my regular vegetable oil and started massaging it onto my elbows and knees.

Now here’s the thing—after two weeks, I genuinely noticed a difference. My joints felt a bit looser, and the usual aches I get from sitting too long or standing too much were noticeably reduced. It didn’t feel like magic, but it worked better than I expected.

Would I use it again?
Definitely. This one earned a permanent spot on my shelf. But, I may use it mostly for massages.

Lavender Oil

Ahh, lavender—the king of smells. One quick search online and you’ll find that lavender essential oil is the most popular essential oil in the world. And honestly, it makes sense. The scent is soft, floral, and very calming. When I tested it, just five drops were enough to fill up my little workspace with a clean, peaceful aroma.

It gave the room a sort of spa-like feel, which was nice during busy work hours. I can see why people use it for sleep and relaxation—it really does make you want to take deeper breaths.

But… and here’s the twist:
It wasn’t my favorite from the bunch. While I liked it, and I’d definitely use it again when I need to unwind, it didn’t blow me away like I thought it might.

(Keep reading to find out which one did.)

Would I use it again?
Yes, for sure—but I was disappointed with online bias for lavender.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil has that fresh, crisp scent that instantly makes you feel like your airways just opened up a little more. It’s the kind of smell you associate with steam rooms or chest rubs—but in the best way possible.

When I used it, my room felt cleaner, cooler, and somehow more breathable. It has this natural sharpness that wakes you up without being too harsh. I found it especially nice to use during early mornings when my brain was still waking up or on days when the air felt a little stuffy.

It’s not a cozy scent, but it’s definitely one that clears the mental fog.

Would I use it again?
Yes—especially when I need a quick mental refresh or to feel more alert.

Roman Chamomile Oil

And here is your winner—ding ding ding! Just three drops of Roman chamomile filled my workspace with a strong, sweet floral aroma that instantly lifted my mood. It wasn’t overpowering but had a calming, soothing presence that made the room feel cozy and peaceful.

This one stood out because it created a warm, relaxing environment that helped me focus without feeling distracted. It’s the kind of scent you want around during stressful tasks or long work sessions.

Would I use it again?
Absolutely. This is definitely my go-to when I need calm and clarity. (And I know I did not use it at the end of my article.)

German Chamomile Oil

Did you know German chamomile oil is actually blue? I didn’t—surprise! Luckily, it didn’t leave a stain on my glass slab (unlike another oil I’ll talk about later).

The scent itself is pleasant, but honestly, compared to Roman chamomile and lavender, it didn’t stand out much. It’s a bit milder and less distinctive. I think it might work better when mixed with other oils in a blend rather than used alone.

Would I use it again?
Maybe—but probably more as part of a blend than by itself.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil was probably the strongest and most potent one I got. It has a sharp, minty aroma that really wakes up your senses—and the scent sticks around for a long time.

Fair warning: I accidentally touched the oil directly on my skin, and it started burning. So, definitely use this one with care—dilution is key, and don’t apply it directly without mixing it first.

Would I use it again?
Yes, but only carefully and diluted. It’s great for a quick energy boost, but handle it wisely.

Patchouli Oil

I read (again, on GyaLabs' blog) that patchouli oil was a favorite among hippies back in the ’70s and ’80s. One sniff—and I instantly got why. It has a very rustic, earthy aroma that’s deep and grounding.

I also came across this interesting tidbit: it was often used to mask the scent of weed. And now I totally understand why. (Not that I’ve tried weed, but patchouli is strong enough to hide just about anything.)

It’s not for everyone—it’s bold and musky—but it definitely has a vibe.

Would I use it again?
Maybe in small doses or blended with lighter scents. It’s unique, but a little intense on its own.

Blue Tansy Oil

Blue tansy oil is blue—duh! But here’s what I didn’t expect: it’s sticky blue. I ruined my glass slab with it, would you believe it? No matter how much I tried wiping it off, the stain lingered. Lesson learned—don’t use your good stuff with this one.

As for the scent... honestly, I wasn’t impressed. It’s very mild—almost too faint—and after all the hype around the name “blue tansy,” I was expecting something exotic or magical. Instead, it felt underwhelming. And messy.

Would I use it again?
Not really. Between the mess and the lackluster scent, I’d skip this one.

Bay Laurel Leaf Essential Oil

The aroma of this oil is amazing. Trust me—diffuse it close to lunch or dinner time and you’ll start hearing stomachs growling. It has this warm, slightly spicy-herbal scent that genuinely makes you feel like something delicious is cooking.

And here’s a fun trick: you can actually fool your kids (or your partner) into thinking something magical is happening in the kitchen. I diffused it one evening and my husband walked in asking, “What’s for dinner? It smells incredible!” Spoiler: dinner was basic, but the oil did the heavy lifting. Totally worth it.

Would I use it again?
Oh yes—especially when I want to cozy up the house or trick people into thinking I’m cooking something gourmet.

Last Words

I won’t rank the oils—because honestly, each one brought something unique to the table. But after soaking in the aroma of all 11 oils over the past couple of weeks, I definitely have my personal favorites when it comes to scent.

If I had to pick based purely on aroma, my top choices would be: Roman Chamomile, Bay Laurel Leaf Oil, Peppermint, and Lavender.